Wan Khao Phansa or Buddist Lent day
Wan Khao Phansa [วันเข้าพรรษา: wan kâo pan-săa] is a period of three lunar months during the rainy season when monks are required to remain in one particular place or temple [วัด: wát]. This year it runs from July 31st to October 27th 2015 (Wan Awk Pansa : วันออกพรรษา). At the beginning of the Buddha Time, the Buddhist Lent was not appointed, so each monk could teach the congregations throughout the year. Whenever a monk determined that he would like to teach his congregations and he was available, he went to do. Sometimes, some monks did not go out to teach anyone, but they saw some places suitable to meditate, they went to do so. The most places for them were in the forests or on the faraway hills which they had to past the country.
Because of the monks’ traveling and farmers worked in their farms in the rainy season, the monks damaged the farmers’ rice sprouts unintentionally because they misunderstood that the rice sprouts were grass. So, the farmers went to sue the Lord Buddha that the monks damaged their rice sprouts, why the monks did not stay in the temples during the rainy season like birds.
To solve this problem, the Lord Buddha determined that the monks had to stay in the temples during the rainy season, from the first waning moon day of the 8th Lunar month to the 15th waxing moon day of the 11th Lunar month, called the Buddhist Lent.
The monks are allowed to go out during the day but they must sleep in the same temple every night during these three months.
Mostly the activities o¬n Wan Khao Phansa (Rains-Retreat Entry Day) are same as those o¬n any other Buddhist holy days. Two main important things presented to monks during Khao Pansa are the candles and garments worn by monks, especifically the bathing robe.
In the old times there was only candle light to be used around the temple, and on the entry of the rainy season, Thai people made large candles as offerings to be used during this season. Some believe that as a result of this custom, they become brighter, and smarter – similar to the characteristics of the candlelight. This tradition passed on from generation to generation and it is still present today.
A typical day during the festival people will:
• Go to the local temple or monastery and offer food, candles and flowers to the monks and receive guidance, support and teaching from the monks.
• Give food and support to the poor during the day.
• Gather around statues of the Buddha when it is dark and walk around the statue with candles until all is covered in light.
• End the day joining in with chanting of the Buddha’s teachings and meditation.
One important tradition for Wan Khao Pansa is “Khao Phansa Candles Making Ceremony” (ประเพณีหล่อเทียนพรรษา) where people bring white and yellow candles to
makethe Khao Phansa candles.
Also “Candle Festival” is the major event occurs on this day. The most famous of Candle Festival locates at Ubon Ratchathanee province, at Thung Sri Mueng temple which is the province’s most popular annual event. Local artists express their artistic talents and techniques through crafting and placing Thai pattern with the candle. The magnificent candles also demonstrate the link of local custom and religious belief. After the procession, they are presented to local temples.
**Wan Khao Phansa is also the national “No alcohol day”. All venues are prohibited from wholesale or retail distribution and sales of alcohol, except hotels. The government also encourages their people to stop drinking during these three months with the campaign งดเหล้าเข้าพรรษา [Ngod Lao Kao Phansa].
เราเอาข้อมูลมาจากเว็ปนี้นะ
http://learnthaiwithmod.com/2013/07/wan-khao-phansa-buddhist-lent-day/
http://www.dmc.tv/pages/en/scoop/The-Buddhist-Lent-Day.html
https://www.journeys-within.com/travelblog/2015/07/22/what-is-buddhist-lent/